Student Writes Essay In Text Message Form

from the teacher-baffled dept

Mon, Mar 3rd 2003 1:56am — Mike Masnick

With just a little stretching you could probably turn this article into something you'd find in the Onion. We've had articles in the past about teachers getting annoyed with students using "texting shorthand" in their papers, but now a teacher was flabbergasted to receive an entire paper written in texting shorthand, which the teacher found impossible to read. The teacher, who wanted to remain anonymous, was quoted as saying, "I could not believe what I was seeing. The page was riddled with hieroglyphics, many of which I simply could not translate." Of course, this is bringing English teachers out of the woodwork complaining about how text messaging is destroying the language. I think people get too worried about these things. Languages change over time. However, that doesn't mean students can't be taught when it is (and isn't) appropriate to use such "advancements".

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29 Comments

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Fred, 3 Mar 2003 @ 1:39pm

If This Is Our Future....
...then the end is near. Gawd. First the grammar and spell check crutch; now this. Before long, the apes from which we sprang will have a more elegant vocabulary.
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Joe Miller, 29 Jun 2004 @ 8:35am

No Subject Given
Texting isn't the problem. In Ontario Canada, teachers are not allowed to teach children grammar in school, for fear of "stunting the child's creativity".
Handwriting isn't the issue. The problem is that whether it's written or typed, children don't know the difference between a noun and a verb, nevermind putting together a correctly formed sentence.
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- Joe MacDonald, 29 Jun 2004 @ 11:01am
  
  Re: No Subject Given
  Don't be silly, grammar is still part of the elementary curriculum in Ontario. If you're concerned that your children aren't being taught proper grammar have a talk with their teachers or the principal. I know I certainly would if I found out they weren't teaching decent language skills.
  [ link to this | view in chronology ]
- Rebecca, 25 Aug 2004 @ 2:37pm
  
  Re: No Subject Given
  I have a question. Does it matter what kind of writing is used? One of my students were afraid that it would have to be done in cursive.
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- Chloe Muse, 27 Jan 2007 @ 11:37am
  
  Re: No Subject Given
  That is true though, at my school we work all the time on grammar and my friends and I can define all of the different forms of grammar, BUT if I was asked to use them in a sentence I can only show a handful. Labeling a sentence is horrid I would never havve mad it through english if not for vocabulary. At my school my friends and I have problems with getting all our thoughts on to the paper and staying on task. It is RARE for us to go a whole class period without screwing around somehow. Even though I am one of them, I know it has effected me in both positive and negative ways. I love text messages, AIM, Facebook, and Myspace don't get me wrong but I have also noticed that my friends and I spend about 10 times more time in these areas then we do or studies and at least 10 times thought in how to cut the corners in school rather than learn the material.
  
  and sorry about the spelling, hah one of my major downfalls.
  
  oh and I am in 10th grade, in most of our classes at least five people are texting under their desk during class. and that is just our grade.
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  - barb, 27 Jun 2010 @ 9:53am
    
    Re: Re: No Subject Given
    at least you are honest. Shortcuts are dangerous in some fields..like medicine..learn the material...it will serve you well in life.
    [ link to this | view in chronology ]
Megan, 22 Jun 2007 @ 9:35pm

I'm writing a paper, and would love some input :o)
I am writing a paper on the topic of text messaging, Facebook, Myspace... since they are such a huge growing trend. I'm interested in hearing some more opinions on the break down of our children's grammar. Also, what do you think makes text messaging so popular? Do you find it easier to talk to other's in writing? Is it to avoid long conversations? Would you rather a quick consise answer to your questions? Is it the antisipation of waiting for a reply? Would you rather speak to your friends this way, or do you find you talk on the phone just as often? Do you think that the text messaging, facebook trend is contributing in a positive way or actually hindering our society?
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Lee, 17 Jul 2008 @ 11:01pm

I am writing a paper on the topic of text messaging, Facebook, Myspace
......please resend the paper to www.essays.org , It would be nice piece to share.
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Liz, 3 Feb 2009 @ 7:56pm

I refuse to respond to any text message in short hand. I don't understand it. I'm 19, I'm part of the generation that's suppose to have all this insanity come natural. I have a true fear that our civilization will allow this crappy text short hand to become the norm. Can you imagine filling out your tax returns with all of the questions in short hand? How about those rediculous phone contracts, like they aren't hard enough to comprehend. Stop signs drop the o and become Stp signs. Who needs Publix or Sweetbay when you can have Pbx and SwtBy? I vote we bring back corpral punishment and allow english teachers to beat the idiotic students who think they can turn in essays in such a format. Failing the student is not enough.
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Faraz Khan, 25 Oct 2009 @ 7:00am

i hate sms language
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I refuse to respond to any text message in short hand. I don't understand it. I'm 19, I'm part of the generation that's suppose to have all this insanity come natural. I have a true fear that our civilization will allow this crappy text short hand to become the norm. Can you imagine filling out your tax health care returns with all of the questions in short hand? How about those rediculous phone contracts, like they aren't hard enough to comprehend. Stop signs drop the o and become Stp signs. Who needs Publix or Sweetbay when you can have Pbx and SwtBy? I vote we fashion bring back corpral punishment and allow english teachers to beat the idiotic students who think they can turn in essays in such a format. Failing the student is not
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Text messages
This is a very interesting article. I wonder what grade the student recieved for those text messages. I could probably quess.
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